I do not currently
deal with the Generation 2 Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda CRZ, Generation 2 Honda
Insight or any other make of hybrid. This may change as I get more time after June 2014.

I own both a Honda Insight and a Honda Civic Hybrid, and I
have researched the electronics and IMA systems in these vehicles for several
years. Most people contact me about failing IMA batteries. This is now a common
occurrence, as these early hybrid vehicles are around ten years old and the IMA
batteries are at the end of their natural life. The Honda IMA cars are great
vehicles with lots of life left in them, and will most likely have given you a
lot of pleasure. You will have saved a considerable amount of money over the
years with excellent reliability, low fuel consumption and cheap road tax. However when the IMA battery fails its time
to re-invest some of that money saved in a replacement.

Unfortunately there is no cheap solution if you need a
replacement IMA battery.

Honda Dealers are not especially interested in fixing these
vehicles, and most are not very knowledgeable about them. They are rare, with
only around 250 Insights and 1000 Civics in the UK, and most dealers wont see very
many. Dealers follow a set diagnostic and repair routine and dont normally
think outside the box for solutions. They are not well placed to tackle quirky IMA problems. You will find if you do some internet research
that, apart from US based companies, I am virtually the only person dealing
with IMA batteries and problems in the UK other than Honda themselves. The generation 1 Insight is a delightful lightweight,
aerodynamic futuristic looking collectors car capable of insane mpg. Its a
marvel of determined engineering, and they are rapidly appreciating in price
and look likely to become a good long term investment.

So what services
do I offer?

1) I rebuild and fit replacement IMA batteries using brand
new high spec Nimh cells with a higher capacity and performance than Honda
cells. (Insight & Civic). I do not
use second-hand cells, reconditioned cells or sticks, or cheap low spec cells
from e-bay.

Working closely with others in the USA, we have
sourced a supply of excellent new cells to repair the IMA batteries. These are
used to rebuild IMA packs, which are then charged and tested before awaiting
fitting in customer cars. I charge considerably
less than the Honda UK dealers (£2,270 one year warranty) for this service. I also
use higher specification cells and provide a three year unlimited mileage warranty.
The installation process takes about two hours, so involves minimal vehicle
downtime. The benefits of a new high power IMA
battery are increased mpg, increased performance, lower emissions, cleared
fault codes and longer and stronger assist and regeneration.

The cost of the IMA Battery including installation is £2,000 exchange. UK/EU
Only.

2) I
build and fit a special high voltage IMA battery charger. (Insight & Civic)

I have developed a special low current IMA battery charger
which can in some instances help to rebalance and recover a failing IMA battery.
This is a much cheaper option than a new battery but carries no absolute guarantee
of success and is not a magic bullet. If your battery is really bad and
unlikely to be helped I will tell you on the day and you can then decide if you
wish to go ahead with a charger or fit a new battery. The charger fitting
process takes about one hour so involves minimal vehicle downtime. The benefits of an IMA battery charger fitted to a
suitable battery are increased mpg, restoration of IMA performance, lower
emissions, cleared fault codes and longer and stronger assist and regeneration.

The cost of the IMA Battery charger including installation is £200 Insight,
£250 Civic. UK/EU Only.

3) I
build and fit a manual IMA control system IMAC&C (IMA Command & Control)
for the enthusiast driver

wanting total control over how the IMA system works.
(Insight & Civic)

This involves the fitting of a specially developed control
circuit to the car and additional wiring to enable the manual control of the
IMA system. This allows the user to control how and when the car assists or
regenerates, so the driver can help a weak battery last longer. It also enables
the sporty driver to use more assist for extra performance on demand. The cars
own computers still have final control, and the IMA system remains within safe
limits even when modified. The fitting
process takes about eight hours in the Insight and two hours in the Civic. Over
100 of these are now helping owners worldwide get the best from their cars. The benefits of the IMAC&C system are manual IMA
control, increased mpg, increased performance, lower emissions, stronger assist
and regeneration and better management of the IMA battery condition.

The cost of the built
and tested IMAC&C device including installation in UK is Insight
£600, Civic £300.

The bare pcb for the
device and software licence is available worldwide by post cost £35, $55 inc
p&p.

4) I
build and supply a special Honda IMA dedicated OBDII diagnostic and vehicle monitoring
tool

It enables you to monitor in real time a huge list of system
parameters, read and clear vehicle error codes and it has a number of exclusive
IMA related functions. Over 200 of these are currently in use helping owners
get the best out of their cars. The benefits of the
OBDIIC&C system are real time system monitoring, increased mpg, lower
emissions, cleared fault codes and better management of the IMA battery
condition.

The cost of the built
and tested OBDIIC&C device is £200 including worldwide postage. Case not
supplied.

The bare pcb for the
device and software licence is available worldwide by post cost £35, $55 inc
p&p.

5) I
can diagnose and repair difficult IMA related problems and carry an extensive
stock of expensive Honda

IMA parts. (Insight & Civic)

My hourly rate for
this service is £75. Parts extra. UK/EU Only.

6) I
provide an IMA check up service when I will examine your car, take readings,
and drive it, to give you an

assessment of the battery state of health and advice on any
other issues or problems.

My hourly rate for
this service is £50. UK/EU Only.

7) Other Services.

I work with Steve Retchless at Auto-Tech Thirsk
Ltd an independent specialist garage, who does my
general hybrid repair and servicing work. I've known Steve for over 20 years
and he now works on a lot of my customers Honda IMA Hybrids. He has my backup
for any IMA or Hybrid problems, access to my diagnostic tools, stock of expensive
spares, expertise and my full Honda workshop manuals. He can provide a courtesy
car, and services the cars of a lot of customers who come to see me for IMA
work.

Steve and his mechanics are familiar with the quirky issues
that affect the Honda Hybrids (We have worked on them together for several
years) and they can tackle a number of mechanical problems that a lot of Honda
dealers or other garages wont. For example the common Insight MK1 gearbox input
shaft bearing failure.

Contacting Steve at Auto-Tech is only possible by phone on
01845 526192. He does not use the answer phone or e-mails, so you have to ring
until you catch him. Its a good way of
killing two birds with one stone. Many visitors now book in with Auto-Tech for
general service or repairs, stay overnight in the area and come to see me the
following day for IMA work.

The rate for these
services is determined by Steve so contact him for details and availability. UK/EU
Only.

Terms & Conditions.

Due to the high voltage and danger presented by the IMA
hybrid system I do not supply
batteries or chargers for others to fit. All the work is
done by me personally.
This guarantees the standard of
workmanship and enables me to offer a no quibble three year return to base
warranty. If anything I fit or supply fails within three years then I will
replace or repair it free of charge.

Payment is strictly via bank transfer before the fitting appointment
or cash on the day.

I also accept Paypal for the OBDIIC&C and IMAC&C
HCH1 device for postal sales.

To manage the high volume of enquiries I receive you must include your full name and
address, Insight central username (if you have one) and your vehicle
registration/identity number with any further communications.

To book my services once we have agreed the work and a
suitable date, I require a non refundable deposit of £100 by bank transfer or Paypal(+5%
to cover their fee). If I cancel for any
reason your money will be refunded. If you cancel because you do not want the
work doing anymore then the deposit is forfeit. If you cancel because the date booked becomes a problem then we will
rebook a different date. Because my spare time is limited cancellations and no
shows mean others have to wait longer for my service, thats not fair on them
or me. Parts ordered at your request for your vehicle will attract a 100%
restocking fee if you cancel completely.

I'm probably one of the few people left who dont regularly carry
a mobile phone, so only provide a number for emergencies. Everything is done by e-mail.

Useful Links.

There is a huge amount of information on the internet about
these cars, and I am an active member of www.insightcentral.net. This is the best forum for discussion of all
relevant technical topics pertaining to the Honda IMA vehicles. I strongly recommend you peruse the site.